This news is bound to be overshadowed by the terrible news from Lebanon, and the long-awaited, but still shocking news on Lord Levy.

But the Liberal Democrat adjournment debate has resulted in a vote and a decision to adjourn the House of Commons - which is to say a defeat for the Government.

According to the BBC

MPs have signalled their anger at Tony Blair over the extradition to the US of three bankers to face a fraud trial.
They voted by a majority of 242 to adjourn the Commons early in symbolic protest at the government's extradition arrangements after a three hour debate.

Lib Dem Nick Clegg told MPs Mr Blair had "short-changed" the UK by signing a "lopsided" extradition agreement.

This followed pressure from Ming Campbell at Prime Minister's Question Time

Pressed about the issue at prime minister's questions, Mr Blair said: "In the attorney general's view, the test that is applied by the United States, the one of probable cause, is roughly analogous to the one we apply in this country."

He said the "case for extradition was originally mounted under the old law, not the new law".

"I do not believe it would be right if we ended up applying a higher standard and burden of proof to America than we do to many other countries," he told MPs.

He said he "totally understood the concerns" of the three men's families, but said the US prosecutors had promised to grant them bail while they awaited trial, provided they met conditions.

Mr Blair also rejected demands by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell to renegotiate the Extradition Act 2003.

But, speaking as he opened a rare emergency debate on the issue a few minutes later, Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said Mr Blair's claims were "simply and totally incorrect".

He insisted the treaty was "unfair and imbalanced" and urged the government to ditch it.

'Tip of iceberg'

The government had admitted that the treaty was not reciprocal but back-pedalled on this position when the NatWest three case hit the headlines, added the Lib Dem home affairs spokesman.

And he said: "They are just the tip of the iceberg, their case has highlighted a wider problem.

It isn´t often that a Liberal Democrat motion is passed in the House of Commons.